THE driver of a car involved in a 100mph fatal smash in Birmingham was high on drink and drugs, an inquest heard.

Keith Ramdehal, aged 20, was three times over the drink-drive limit and travelling at excessive speeds in Ridgeacre Lane, Quinton.

The accident claimed the lives of both Mr Ramdehal and his 21-year-old passenger, Stuart Tame.

The two friends, both from Quinton, were heading in the direction of Harborne at around 6pm on Saturday, July 1, last year, when Mr Ramdehal lost control of the vehicle.

The red Rover 214 spun clockwise and mounted the central reservation before striking a tree at up to 100mph, the inquest heard.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene following the accident.

Birmingham Coroner's Court heard that the wreckage of the car was "catastrophic" and that the two men died instantly from multiple injuries.

The court was told that Mr Ramdehal, from Ridgeacre Lane, Quinton, had numerous previous motoring convictions, despite holding only a provisional licence. He was driving without insurance and the vehicle was not registered to him.

A post mortem examination found he had been drinking large quantities of alcohol and had also consumed amphetamines prior to the crash.

One witness said he thought the car was travelling at up to 100mph in the moments leading up to the crash.

Birmingham deputy coroner Christopher Ball recorded a verdict of accidental death on Mr Ramdehal, but concluded that Mr Tame, from Selcroft Avenue, Quinton, had died as a result of unlawful killing.

"If the situation had occurred that Mr Ramdehal had survived I am in no doubt that there would have been more than enough evidence to bring about a case of death by dangerous driving."

"Given the excessive speed of the vehicle and the presence of drugs and alcohol, it would have been sufficient for a jury to convict him under section one of the Road Traffic Act," Mr Ball said.